# Daniel Chapter 6
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## Summary
Within this chapter Daniel is promoted to a high place and high officials conspire to have him executed by encouraging the King to sign an edict forbidding the worship of other Gods. When he is found praying to God in his room by the officials the King attempts to prevent Daniels death but politically is required to order his execution.

The King prays that God will deliver Daniel and prays and fasts until the following morning after Daniel is cast to the Lions. Ultimately Daniel is delivered and the high officials their wives and children are all cast to the Lions and killed by them. Darius the mede then exults God and order that all tremble before the God of Daniel.

## Imagery and Themes
Pride again features in this chapter but on this occasion it's consequences are more subtle. The king is enticed to sign an order compelling his people to worship him for thirty days. Again we find the King powerless to prevent the consequences of his actions and we hear he is disturbed and anguished by this outcome. Yet God is merciful and he demonstrates his capacity to intervene in human affairs by shutting the Lions mouth to prevent Daniels death.

It certainly is a disconcerting thought that not only the High officials but their families were also executed. It certainly leaves a bad taste in the mouth to imagine young children or even infants having bones broken by lions[^1]. Yet we cannot evade these uncomfortable aspects. They perhaps teach us of the potential for human barbarity, or even act as a symbolic nod to the social implications of poor decision making. In any event *Quid scriptum est scriptum*[^2].

There might also be perceived to be a subtle message about the Kingdom of God here. Not only in the panegyric proclaimed by Darius at the end of the chapter, but also throughout as we see God's subtle work to bring order from chaos. Ultimately pride led to dis-order with the King of the most powerful Kingdom in existence at the time powerless to bring order from the chaos he had created. Perhaps I read too much into this, but in any case the subtle intonations are there and point forward to the everlasting Kingdom to come.

[^1]: [Daniel 6:24](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+6%3A24&version=ESV)
[^2]: What is written is written.